How Parliament Works

How Canada Is Governed

Canada is a _______________________ __________________________.

This means that the _______________ or ___________________ is

The ___________________ of _________________, but the __________________

_____________________ is the Head of ____________________________.

Bills are created and passed by _____________________________, but the _______________

_______________________ (the _____________________ representative in Canada) signs

them into law.

The Structure of Parliament

There are __________ parts of Parliament, which all work together to create new laws:

The __________________ The ______________ The _____________ of _______________

Head of State Upper Chamber Lower Chamber

Represented by the 105 seats 338 seats

Governor General

How Laws are Made

Canada’s legislative process involves all __________ parts of Parliament. To become a

Law, a bill must be approved by both _______________ and the ____________ _____________

Step 1: A bill (proposed law) is introduced in either the Senate or the House of Commons.

Step 2: Parliamentarians debate the bill and vote to decide whether it should be studied further.

Step 3: If the bill passes, it is sent to a committee, which studies it in depth and may suggest
changes.
Step 4: The bill goes back for a final debate and vote, based on the committee’s report.

Step 5: If the bill passes the vote, it is sent to the other Chamber, where it goes through the same
process.

Step 6: Once the bill has been passed by both Chambers in identical form, it goes to the
Governor General for Royal Assent and becomes Canadian law.

The Work of the Senate

The Senate is Parliament’s _______________ __________________.

Senators are appointed by the ________________ __________________, on the advice of the

_______________ __________________, to represent the regions, provinces and territories of
Canada. They draft ______________, refine ______________________ passed by the House
and debate issues on their merits. Much of the Senate’s most important work is done in
committees, where Senators study bills in depth and hear from a wide range of ______________.

The Work of the House of Commons

The House of Commons is the elected _____-______________ body in Parliament.

Most bills begin in the _____________, and its Members spend much of their time ___________

and ______________. Each of the 338 Members of the House (usually called Members of
_____________________ or MPs) represents a specific ____________________ area in
Canada, known as a _________________. MPs serve as representatives of the people who live
in their riding.

Inside Parliament

History of the Parliament Buildings

The Parliament Buildings are older than Canada.

Construction began in ________, when new buildings were needed to house the government of
the Province of ______________ (now ______________ and ______________). When Canada
became an independent country in _________, the buildings became the seat of the new federal
____________________. (We will now watch a short video on the Parliament Buildings)
 How Parliament Works
Answer key

How Canada Is Governed

Canada is a constitutional monarchy.

This means that the King or Queen is

The Head of State, but the Prime Minister

is the Head of Government.

Bills are created and passed by Parliament, but the Governor General

(the Monarch’s representative in Canada) signs them into law.

The Structure of Parliament

There are three parts of Parliament, which all work together to create new laws:

The Monarch The Senate The House of Commons

Head of State Upper Chamber Lower Chamber

Represented by the 105 seats 338 seats

Governor General

How Laws are Made

Canada’s legislative process involves all three parts of Parliament. To become a

Law, a bill must be approved by both Chambers and the Governor General (or a deputy).

Step 1: A bill (proposed law) is introduced in either the Senate or the House of Commons.

Step 2: Parliamentarians debate the bill and vote to decide whether it should be studied further.

Step 3: If the bill passes, it is sent to a committee, which studies it in depth and may suggest
changes.

Step 4: The bill goes back for a final debate and vote, based on the committee’s report.
Step 5: If the bill passes the vote, it is sent to the other Chamber, where it goes through the same
process.

Step 6: Once the bill has been passed by both Chambers in identical form, it goes to the
Governor General for Royal Assent and becomes Canadian law.

The Work of the Senate

The Senate is Parliament’s Upper Chamber.

Senators are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister, to
represent the regions, provinces and territories of Canada. They draft bills, refine legislation
passed by the House and debate issues on their merits. Much of the Senate’s most important
work is done in committees, where Senators study bills in depth and hear from a wide range of
witnesses.

The Work of the House of Commons

The House of Commons is the elected law-making body in Parliament.

Most bills begin in the House, and its Members spend much of their time debating

and voting. Each of the 338 Members of the House (usually called Members of Parliament or
MPs) represents a specific geographic area in Canada, known as a riding. MPs serve as
representatives of the people who live in their riding.

Inside Parliament

History of the Parliament Buildings

The Parliament Buildings are older than Canada.

Construction began in 1859, when new buildings were needed to house the government of the
Province of Canada (now Ontario and Quebec). When Canada became an independent country
in 1867, the buildings became the seat of the new federal Parliament. (We will now watch a
short video on the Parliament Buildings)
Vocabulary terms “Hockey Game”

Match the term on the left with the correct definition/description on the right.

___ 1. Whistle a) A division or portion of time

___ 2. Puck b) A trophy representing the championship of the NHL

___ 3. Ice c) To move with a sudden jerk

___ 4. Goalie d) A long red or blue mark on the ice

___ 5. Skates e) Shoes or boots fit with a metal blade for sliding on ice

___ 6. Line f) A rectangular area in front of the goal cage

g) In instrument used to produce loud sounds with air

___ 7. Crease
h) A smooth, frozen surface for ice-skating
___ 8. Period
i) A person who prevents the puck from going into the net
___ 9. Flick
j) A black, round rubber disk
___ 10. Stanley Cup

Answer Key

1. G
2. J
3. H
4. I
5. E
6. D
7. F
8. A
9. C
10. B